DATE: August 7,2001
COMPANY: The Hollywood Reporter
AUTHOR: Cynthia Littleton

After holding her own with the World Wrestling Federation's finest during the past six years, Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna of WWF fame, is ready to flex her acting muscles on soundstages rather than in wrestling rings.

Laurer, who parted ways with the WWF earlier this year, is in talks with Fox Broadcasting Co. and Fox Television Pictures to star in a telefilm about a guidance counselor who works in an inner-city high school. The project is described as "Dangerous Minds" meets "Kindergarten Cop."

Laurer also has been signed to guest-star on Lions Gate Television's upcoming syndicated action-hour "Tracker" opposite Adrian Paul. She's been making the network and studio rounds during the past few weeks as she pursues a series development deal as well as prospects for guest shots or recurring roles on existing series.

"After six years with the WWF, I'm in a place in my life right now where I always wanted to be," Laurer said. "Chyna became a household name, and she was the great equalizer in the WWF. Now things are starting to happen for me as Joanie, and it's exciting to be standing on my own two feet."

Laurer said she hopes the untitled Fox telefilm project will do for her what "Kindergarten Cop" helped do for Arnold Schwarzenegger, namely soften an image that has been defined by the size of her abundant muscles.

Laurer's Fox telefilm will be produced through the newly formed management-production company the Machine, where she is repped by Jon Sheinberg, Kimberly Woods, Mike McCready and Rich Minzer